Minister launches Powerful Women Exhibition

Minister for Women Margaret Keech today celebrated the 30^th year of UNIFEM by launching Australia’s Powerful Women Portrait Exhibition at Parliament House.

Mrs Keech said the exhibition included portraits of 30 Australian women working in various areas of the community, business, politics and the arts.

“The exhibition celebrates their contribution to the advancement of women in Australia and overseas,” she said.

“The exhibition's photographer is Sydney-based Yann Le Berre.

Originally from Paris, Yann has worked as a photographer for the past 15 years and Powerful Women will be his second major exhibition.

“UNIFEM Australia and the Beattie Government share the view that women are an important leadership resource. This exhibition highlights that fact. The portrait subjects are proof that you can achieve – if you have confidence and make the effort. They are real role models.”

“UNIFEM Australia is a voluntary organisation that supports UNIFEM's work by raising public awareness in gender and development issues, engaging the support of government and raising funds for selected projects.

“The Government’s vision is a place where Queenslanders can balance their work, family and lifestyle and where women and men equally share the caring roles in their families and communities,” Mrs Keech said.

“While Queensland women are much better off than many women around the world there are still areas of inequity which the Beattie Government is working to address.

One of these areas is representation of women on to Government boards from the current 34 per cent to 50 per cent.

“The annual Australian Census of Women in Leadership found that among ASX200 companies, only 2 per cent of chairs and 8.7 per cent of board directors are women.

“The Beattie Government is committed to increase representation of women on to Government Boards from the current 34 percent to 50 percent.”

“The Office for Women is implementing a strategy to actively recruit women for possible appointment to Queensland Government boards.

“I have taken the lead on this strategy and have just appointed two more women to the Tourism Queensland Board, doubling female representation.

“For women, board experience provides valuable leadership opportunities; it also provides role models to emerging leaders.

“Recent research suggests that getting more women on boards is not only a matter of equity, but is necessary for companies and organisations to compete in an increasingly global and diversified market.

The exhibition will run from Monday, 2 July 2007 until Friday, 13 July 2007 at Level 3, Display Area in the Parliamentary Annexe from 9am to 4pm daily.

Useful information for women considering board nomination, along with information for boards, can be found at www.women.qld.gov.au/womenonboards or call 1800 177 577. For more information on UNIFEM Australia visit www.unifem.org.au.

Contacts: Joanna Whitaker 3224 2005